Pheobe Bishop’s mother in fresh plea as fears grow for teen

The mother of a missing Queensland teenager now at the centre of a major police investigation says the family is still “praying” that she will come home.

• Explainer: All the facts so far

The mother of a missing teenager now at the centre of a major police investigation says the family is still “praying” that she will come home, as the state’s top cop says officers hold “real concerns” for her welfare.

Detectives descended on a Gin Gin property on Wednesday, seeking to unravel the disappearance of teenager Pheobe Bishop, nearly a week after she failed to board a flight.

The 17-year-old was due to fly from Bundaberg to Western Australia via Brisbane to visit a friend on May 15 – but investigators say there is no proof she was ever dropped at Bundaberg Airport.

Police are still on scene at Milden Street, Gin Gin, on Thursday where missing girl Pheobe Bishop was living before her disappearance. Picture: Adam Head

Police were told Pheobe was last seen at Airport Drive in Bundaberg with luggage in tow, but there were no sightings of her at the terminal, nor had her bags been found.

A Gin Gin property where Pheobe had been living with two other people was on Wednesday declared a crime scene.

Acting Police Commissioner Shane Chelepy on Thursday said police hold “real concerns” for Pheobe’s welfare.

Police are continuing to appeal to the public for dashcam and CCTV footage of this grey Hyundai ix35.

“We’ve got real concerns. Pheobe’s been now missing for seven days and we’ll now treat her as a missing person [that is] suspicious,” Act. Commissioner Chelepy told Peter Fegan on the 4BC Breakfast Show.

“But we’ve really got concerns.”

Act. Commissioner Chelepy said a grey Hyundai ix35 with Queensland registration 414EW3 is of interest to police and appealed to the public to report any potential sightings of that vehicle during the past days. The vehicle has been seized by police.

“If any of the public have seen that vehicle and its movement or seen Pheobe in that time, we really do urgently need them to contact Crimestoppers or Policelink today,” he said.

Act. Commissioner Chelepy said police are still trying to piece together Pheobe’s movements and are appealing to people across South East Queensland to keep a look out for her.

“We’re still unpacking Pheobe’s movements and that’s the timeline that we’re putting together at the moment,” he said.

“Until we unpack that fully, until our detectives get a really good idea of her movements, I’d appeal to anyone in the whole of South East Queensland, if you think you’ve seen Pheobe, contact us.”

Pheobe’s mother, Kylie Johnson, has taken to social media every day, pleading for anyone with information to contact police.

Police said Pheobe had lived at the Milden St home “for a while”, but the other occupants of the property were not direct family members.

The teenager has not contacted friends or family, and her bank accounts have not been accessed since the day she was last seen.

Pheobe’s mother, Kylie Johnson, has taken to social media every day, pleading for anyone with information to contact police.

Police on scene at Milden Street, Gin Gin, on Thursday morning. Pics Adam Head

“As we head into another day ending Pheobe is still missing,’’ Ms Johnson posted overnight.

She shared the latest plea from police for dashcam and CCTV footage of grey Hyundai ix35 with Queensland registration 414EW3 near the Airport Drive and Samuels Road area in Bundaberg and also the Gin Gin area on May 15.

The Gin Gin property where Pheobe Bishop was last living and which has been declared a crime scene. Picture: Paul Beutel

“This information in crucial to finding Phee.’’

The distraught mum said police were keeping them informed ‘at every step’ of their investigations.

She urged media to respect the family’s privacy “and respect that we are dealing with a lot of emotions right now”.

“ Phee we love you more than you could imagine and we’re praying that you come home,’’ ending the post with a streaming tears emoji.

Police arriving at the Gin Gin property. Picture: Paul Beutel

Bundaberg Mayor Helen Blackburn said the entire region had been deeply affected by the “distressing” situation, but had come together and held on to the hope that Pheobe would be returned safely.

“The Bundaberg Region community has come together in strength and solidarity as we hold hope for the safe return of Phoebe Bishop,” Ms Blackburn said.

“Our streets and social media channels have been filled with posters appealing for information – no matter how small – about Phoebe’s movements on the morning of Thursday, May 15.

“This situation has deeply affected our entire region, particularly the Gin Gin community, where Phoebe had been living.

“We are thinking of her family and friends during this distressing time and remain hopeful that Phoebe will be found safe and well.

“I encourage anyone who may have seen or heard anything, no matter how insignificant it may seem, to come forward and share that information with the police.”

Friends left messages of comfort and hope for the distraught family.

Bianca Gibson posted: “We are all still hoping for your miracle.”

“My heart is hurting for you,” Chlöe Isabel wrote.

“When one mother cries, we all do. I hope she comes home soon. Sending all my love and hugs.”

Pheobe’s flatmates told police they dropped her off at the airport with luggage.

Police have spoken to the people living in the house, who are co-operating with officers and have provided “detailed accounts”.

Missing Bundaberg teen Pheobe Bishop.

Detective Acting Inspector Ryan Thompson said police were confident Pheobe never made it to the airport despite being told it was the last place she was seen.

“We have received CCTV from the airport which indicated she did not enter the terminal,” he said.

“That’s why we are quite confident Pheobe didn’t make it to the airport. We do hold concerns for her safety due to it being nearly a week since she was last sighted.”

Inspector Thompson said determining the movements of the vehicle and the timeline of events was now a crucial part of the investigation.

“That’s forming part of our investigation of how she travelled from Gin Gin to Bundaberg, we are currently appealing for information on whereabouts Pheobe was last seen,” he said.

Asked whether people could be lying to investigators, Inspector Thompson declined to speculate.

Police have established a crime scene at a Gin Gin property where teenager Pheobe Bishop had been living. Picture: Paul Beutel

“I won’t speculate on any lying, but police are trying to narrow down the time frame and the timeline of where this vehicle has gone,” he said.

“We are asking for information on Samuels Rd, and all that information that the public is providing will assist us with our inquiries.”

The Gin Gin crime scene. Picture: Paul Beutel

Asked whether police believed Pheobe had met with foul play, Inspector Thompson said police were not ruling out any scenario.

Police were now focusing on the Avoca and Branyan areas, relating to the movements of the vehicle.

On Wednesday, police tape covered the entrance to the Milden St property where the teen was staying as police continued forensic examinations at the crime scene.

The Gin Gin house where Pheobe Bishop was living before her disappearance. Picture: Paul Beutel

The property had a large bus parked out the front of it, along with a boat.

Bags of rubbish were seen outside the property.

Gin Gin residents gathered outside on Wednesday.

Customers at the South Kolan Pub said Pheobe’s disappearance was “scary,” with a bartender saying her father had left a poster which was pinned on the noticeboard.

Pheobe’s family have posted hundreds of flyers in the Bundaberg area hoping someone recognises her.

“As we enter another day with Pheobe still missing our hearts are breaking more and more,” Ms Johnson wrote online on Wednesday.

“Phee we just need to know that you’re OK? We just need to hear your voice! I’m begging anyone that has anything to contact Police link 131 444.

“We as a family are thankful for the message of support and offers of assistance.

Police investigating the disappearance of Pheobe Bishop. Picture: Paul Beutel

“Right now we are grasping on to hope and just trying to breathe. Again all anyone can do to help is – keep sharing Pheobe’s flyer. Follow the Queensland police for updates and requests for information. Keep having conversations with your loved ones, community and colleagues.

“And hold your babies close! We would currently do anything to be able to hold our baby tight right now.”

Police have urged anyone with footage of the vehicle in the Airport Drive, Samuels Rd and Gin Gin areas on May 15 to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.